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miro.short-films
We're focused on authentic story-telling, collaborating with writers, directors and supporters of indigenous content creation.
Our projects are centred on uplifting and empowering marginalised communities through drama and entertainment, thereby creating understanding and emotional connections for audiences and making a contribution of consequence towards meaningful change.
RAPIDO - The Spoils of War
Drama | Short Film | 13min | 2024 | HD
Audio language | English and Māori
Subtitles language | English
A Māori boy's favourite war comic 'Battalion' fills his fantastical mind with action and adventure. During a spiritual cleansing he discovers his estranged grandfather was a World War II veteran.
Set in 1970s New Zealand, Rapido examines a dysfunctional family struggling after the loss of a father and brother.
This story aims to highlight the personal sacrifices of our New Zealand Māori soldiers throughout the ages, and the profound impact it has on their families when they return home from war.
Directed by: Richard J Curtis
Producer: Lea Mclean
Writers: Richard J Curtis & Lea Mclean
Cinematographer: Mike Jonathan
Starring:
Naatana Mika, Ria Paki
Tomika Whiu, Vanessa Paraki
Festivals
2026 FIFO Tahiti Film Festival
2025 Native Spirit Film Festival
2025 ImagineNative Film & Media Arts Festival
2025 Birraranga Film Festival
2024 Rotorua Indigenous Film Festival
Awards
2025 Best Live Action Short Film Award - ImagineNative Film & Media Arts Festival
Ahi Kaa
Drama | Short Film | 12min | 2012 | 35mm | 5.1 Stereo
Left alone with just her spiritual guides a young girl upholds the prestiege and soverignty of the tribe in order to protect the land for generations to come. Due to her brave deeds she is immortalised for ever.
DIRECTORS VISION
AHI KĀ is based on actual events that took place on lake Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty in the early 1900's. It is a personal story about the Directors grandmother (Taipapaki Curtis) a full blooded Maori from the Te Arawa tribe, Rotorua. She was given the responsibility to protect the land and prevent it from falling into crown hands.
This story draws upon actual events and elements that took place in those times. Maori land was always owned by the local tribes not by individuals. Ahi Kā refers to the long burning fires of occupation or a tribe of people always living on the land.
This story is about a young girl being left alone whilst coming to terms with her isolation and the environment in which she finds herself in. ‘Manupirua Hot Springs’ is a living entity belonging and connected to both the land and the people. This film draws upon the natural properties of water, earth and fire to give a sense of a time when the people were not only connected physically but also spiritually.
The films lead character, TAI - is on a journey, a coming of age shouldering the immense burden of protecting her tribes precious assets. While she is being observed from across the waters she is also being looked at from within but by a Kaitiaki (Guardian, a real Morepork that was known to follow Taipapaki around in the bush and would at times fly over her when she needed caution or reassurance). Tai’s journey encapsulates what is unquely Māori - but is not unlike many other indigenous peoples through out the world.
Directed by: Richard J Curtis
Producer: Jillian White
Writer: Richard J Curtis
DoP: Fred Renata
Executive Producer: Cliff Curtis
Art Director: Guy Moana
Composer: Dave Whitehead
Starring:
Christine Edwards
Paul Gittins
Grae Burton
Festivals
ImagineNative Film Festival
Hawaii International Film Festival
Awards
Best Short Film - Hawaii International Film Festival
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